The Texan improved his own best several times as he established himself a clear second fastest.

He still ended 0.295s down on Pedrosa, with the Spaniard underlining his complete control by shaving another few hundredths off his personal best in the final minutes to end on a 1m39.783s.

Jorge Lorenzo completed the top three courtesy of a late flyer one minute before the flag, but he was unable to get within seven tenths of Pedrosa.

Tech 3 Yamaha's Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow were also late improvers. Both set their fastest times as the chequered flag flew, earning fourth and sixth respectively, sandwiching Honda's Casey Stoner.